MONTREAL, Nov. 23 /CNW Telbec/ - Air Canada announced today that starting
in January it is launching same-plane service between Saint John and Ottawa
and dedicating a larger aircraft for morning flights to and from New
Brunswick's largest city and Montreal.
    "Air Canada is very pleased to offer the people of Saint John and the
surrounding area the fastest, most convenient way to get to and from our
nation's capital. We are introducing one-stop, same plane return service to
Ottawa via Montreal. As well, we are increasing the size of the aircraft we
operate on the popular morning flights between Saint John and Montreal,
deploying a 50-seat Dash 8-300 to replace the 37-seat aircraft now in
service," said Daniel Shurz Vice President, Network Planning, Air Canada.
"These enhanced services are a response to growing demand for travel to and
from the Saint John region. They also further integrate the area into Air
Canada's extensive national, transborder and global network."
    "I am extremely pleased that Air Canada is adding capacity at the
Saint John Airport with this new, same plane service to Ottawa. We have been
working hard as part of a team in Saint John to convince Air Canada that there
is a need for more service and clearly this approach has paid off," said
Paul Zed, Member of Parliament for Saint John.
    "Air Canada's announcement today is a recognition that Saint John is on
the move. I welcome this announcement, and look forward to continuing to work
with Air Canada to further enhance service in Saint John," said
Roly MacIntyre, New Brunswick Minister of Supply and Services and Member of
the Legislative Assembly for Saint John East.
    Saint John Mayor, Norm McFarlane, said: "Enhanced air access at the
Saint John Airport is critical for our city's growth and development. I am
very pleased with Air Canada's decision to enhance capacity in Saint John, and
I am excited with their decision to provide same plane service to Ottawa."
    Beginning January 7, 2008, Air Canada Jazz flight AC8789 will depart
Saint John at 12:25 p.m. (all times local), arrive in Montreal at 1:15 p.m.
and then continue on at 2 p.m. to arrive in Ottawa at 2:43 p.m. Air Canada
Jazz flight AC8792 will depart Ottawa at 7 p.m., arrive in Montreal at
7:45 p.m. and then depart for Saint John at 8:30 p.m. where it will arrive at
10:59 p.m. All weekday flights will be operated with a 50-seat, Dash 8-300.
    Also starting January 7, Air Canada will operate Air Canada Jazz flight
AC 8787, which departs from Saint John at 6:30 a.m. and arrives in Montreal at
7:20 a.m., with a 50-seat Dash 8-300 instead of the 37-seat, Dash 8-100 now in
service. Flight AC 8788, which departs Montreal at 9:15 a.m. and arrives in
Saint John at 11:44 a.m., will be similarly upgauged to a Dash 8-300.

    Air Canada provides scheduled and charter air transportation for
passengers and cargo to more than 170 destinations on five continents.
Canada's flag carrier is the 14th largest commercial airline in the world and
serves about 34 million customers annually with a fleet consisting of
335 aircraft. Air Canada is a founding member of Star Alliance providing the
world's most comprehensive air transportation network.